The National Football League has cracked down on celebrations of a specific type in 2024, and now a member of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers has been fined for doing so.
The NFL is particularly cracking down on celebrations that it describes as the use of “violent gestures” – this has notably been used to attack players who mime shooting guns or shooting archery, with a number of players – like Drake London of the Atlanta Falcons and Josh Downs of the Indianapolis Colts – penalized and potentially fined for it.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers played the Falcons last Thursday, and during that game, defensive tackle Vita Vea received a sack and celebrated by crawling on the ground and miming shooting with a sniper rifle. Vea was not penalized for this at the time, but the NFL announced it would fine him $14,069 for the action.
NFL fined #Bucs NT Vita Vea $14,069 for unsportsmanlike conduct/violent gesture – his sharpshooter celebration last week. pic.twitter.com/R3WVyMkP9D
– Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) October 12, 2024
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This has been a controversial new focal point for the NFL, and Vea’s fine for making this move is somewhat ironic: He plays at Raymond James Stadium, and when the Bucs score at home, the pirate ship from team fires cannons to celebrate, which is a violent gesture. the NFL seems to allow it. Either way, with so much money on the line, Vea will likely choose a different celebration the next time he’s sacked.
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